Conservation Education: How to Avoid Nature’s Eclipse | Patricia McDaniel | TEDxJeffersonCollege

well good evening it’s a pleasure to

well good evening it’s a pleasure to here this evening talking to you and

here this evening talking to you and

here this evening talking to you and while we may not be able to avoid the

while we may not be able to avoid the

while we may not be able to avoid the upcoming solar eclipse I’m here to talk

upcoming solar eclipse I’m here to talk

upcoming solar eclipse I’m here to talk about avoiding an eclipse of a different

about avoiding an eclipse of a different

about avoiding an eclipse of a different sort what we call the Eclipse of nature

sort what we call the Eclipse of nature

sort what we call the Eclipse of nature actually and how we can do that through

actually and how we can do that through

actually and how we can do that through conservation education and the concern

conservation education and the concern

conservation education and the concern we have for disappearing wildlife and

we have for disappearing wildlife and

we have for disappearing wildlife and natural resources out there

natural resources out there

natural resources out there simply put conservation education is

simply put conservation education is

simply put conservation education is instructing individuals as to the wise

instructing individuals as to the wise

instructing individuals as to the wise use of nature international resources

use of nature international resources

use of nature international resources and through conservation and education

and through conservation and education

and through conservation and education in three simple steps we can help

in three simple steps we can help

in three simple steps we can help empower individuals and avoid nature’s

empower individuals and avoid nature’s

empower individuals and avoid nature’s eclipse so the three steps are simple

eclipse so the three steps are simple

eclipse so the three steps are simple right we can provide training provide

right we can provide training provide

right we can provide training provide opportunities and provide resources and

opportunities and provide resources and

opportunities and provide resources and when we think about providing these

when we think about providing these

when we think about providing these things often we work in conservation

things often we work in conservation

things often we work in conservation education in areas where we deal with

education in areas where we deal with

education in areas where we deal with students we deal with educators we deal

students we deal with educators we deal

students we deal with educators we deal with professionals conservation

with professionals conservation

with professionals conservation professionals and community members and

professionals and community members and

professionals and community members and often our programs are what we call

often our programs are what we call

often our programs are what we call inter-institutional and where we form

inter-institutional and where we form

inter-institutional and where we form partnerships not only with institutions

partnerships not only with institutions

partnerships not only with institutions in the United States but also when we

in the United States but also when we

in the United States but also when we work internationally form partnerships

work internationally form partnerships

work internationally form partnerships with institutions in our host countries

with institutions in our host countries

with institutions in our host countries and that’s very important so that we can

and that’s very important so that we can

and that’s very important so that we can become equal stakeholders and have an

become equal stakeholders and have an

become equal stakeholders and have an equal vested interest in the process and

equal vested interest in the process and

equal vested interest in the process and the outcome in areas that I’ve worked a

the outcome in areas that I’ve worked a

the outcome in areas that I’ve worked a lot of them have a lot of things in

lot of them have a lot of things in

lot of them have a lot of things in common in specific geographic areas and

common in specific geographic areas and

common in specific geographic areas and this is where a lot of conservation

this is where a lot of conservation

this is where a lot of conservation efforts are concentrated globally they

efforts are concentrated globally they

efforts are concentrated globally they have several things in common first of

have several things in common first of

have several things in common first of all they’re areas where we have what we

all they’re areas where we have what we

all they’re areas where we have what we call very high biodiversity a wide

call very high biodiversity a wide

call very high biodiversity a wide variety of life forms on the planet very

variety of life forms on the planet very

variety of life forms on the planet very high cultural diversity with a lot of

high cultural diversity with a lot of

high cultural diversity with a lot of different cultural groups where we have

different cultural groups where we have

different cultural groups where we have large

large

large numbers of what we call endemic species

numbers of what we call endemic species

numbers of what we call endemic species species that are found nowhere else on

species that are found nowhere else on

species that are found nowhere else on the planet where we have large

the planet where we have large

the planet where we have large impoverished and disenfranchised

impoverished and disenfranchised

impoverished and disenfranchised populations of individuals and where we

populations of individuals and where we

populations of individuals and where we have widespread habitat destruction and

have widespread habitat destruction and

have widespread habitat destruction and where in those countries often these

where in those countries often these

where in those countries often these three simple steps are lacking so what

three simple steps are lacking so what

three simple steps are lacking so what I’d like to do for the next several

I’d like to do for the next several

I’d like to do for the next several minutes is we are doing a lot of

minutes is we are doing a lot of

minutes is we are doing a lot of traveling this evening I see right in

traveling this evening I see right in

traveling this evening I see right in space and time okay so we’re gonna go on

space and time okay so we’re gonna go on

space and time okay so we’re gonna go on another trip we’re gonna go on a virtual

another trip we’re gonna go on a virtual

another trip we’re gonna go on a virtual trip for the next few minutes to a few

trip for the next few minutes to a few

trip for the next few minutes to a few of these locations and I’ll just

of these locations and I’ll just

of these locations and I’ll just highlight a few examples of the

highlight a few examples of the

highlight a few examples of the different kinds of conservation programs

different kinds of conservation programs

different kinds of conservation programs that I’ve had the great privilege to be

that I’ve had the great privilege to be

that I’ve had the great privilege to be involved in over the last years I was

involved in over the last years I was

involved in over the last years I was thinking how many years has that been

thinking how many years has that been

thinking how many years has that been about 25 years so here we go right

about 25 years so here we go right

about 25 years so here we go right starting in Central America in Guatemala

starting in Central America in Guatemala

starting in Central America in Guatemala okay and then we’ll move to two areas in

okay and then we’ll move to two areas in

okay and then we’ll move to two areas in Nicaragua then we’ll move to South

Nicaragua then we’ll move to South

Nicaragua then we’ll move to South America to Venezuela two areas in

America to Venezuela two areas in

America to Venezuela two areas in Venezuela and then back to Central

Venezuela and then back to Central

Venezuela and then back to Central America to Panama so we are doing a lot

America to Panama so we are doing a lot

America to Panama so we are doing a lot of traveling in the next about 10

of traveling in the next about 10

of traveling in the next about 10 minutes so okay we’ll start in Guatemala

minutes so okay we’ll start in Guatemala

minutes so okay we’ll start in Guatemala in an area called wash Achtung

in an area called wash Achtung

in an area called wash Achtung and wash Achtung is a very significant

and wash Achtung is a very significant

and wash Achtung is a very significant ancient Mayan city right in the ancient

ancient Mayan city right in the ancient

ancient Mayan city right in the ancient Mayan civilization it is believed to be

Mayan civilization it is believed to be

Mayan civilization it is believed to be this is one of the pyramids in wash

this is one of the pyramids in wash

this is one of the pyramids in wash achtung it’s believed to be home to the

achtung it’s believed to be home to the

achtung it’s believed to be home to the oldest Mayan astronomical observatory on

oldest Mayan astronomical observatory on

oldest Mayan astronomical observatory on earth so this is a remarkable area and

earth so this is a remarkable area and

earth so this is a remarkable area and it also has high biodiversity high

it also has high biodiversity high

it also has high biodiversity high cultural diversity and large numbers of

cultural diversity and large numbers of

cultural diversity and large numbers of endangered species and most people never

endangered species and most people never

endangered species and most people never make it to this remote area of wash

make it to this remote area of wash

make it to this remote area of wash achtung because they typically stop at

achtung because they typically stop at

achtung because they typically stop at an area called tikal I don’t know if

an area called tikal I don’t know if

an area called tikal I don’t know if anyone has heard of tikal tikal is one

anyone has heard of tikal tikal is one

anyone has heard of tikal tikal is one of the most famous central american

of the most famous central american

of the most famous central american archeological sites there is is one of

archeological sites there is is one of

archeological sites there is is one of the largest in Central America is home

the largest in Central America is home

the largest in Central America is home to the famous Mayan pyramids so people

to the famous Mayan pyramids so people

to the famous Mayan pyramids so people you

you

you we stopped there and they never make it

we stopped there and they never make it

we stopped there and they never make it to these more remote locations so we

to these more remote locations so we

to these more remote locations so we decided that we would work here in

decided that we would work here in

decided that we would work here in Washington infer these programs for this

Washington infer these programs for this

Washington infer these programs for this one in particular I worked with st.

one in particular I worked with st.

one in particular I worked with st. Louis University in University of

Louis University in University of

Louis University in University of Missouri st. Louis and some of these

Missouri st. Louis and some of these

Missouri st. Louis and some of these institutions will sound familiar to some

institutions will sound familiar to some

institutions will sound familiar to some of you and also Wildlife Conservation

of you and also Wildlife Conservation

of you and also Wildlife Conservation Society in Guatemala and we put together

Society in Guatemala and we put together

Society in Guatemala and we put together a program of field conservation methods

a program of field conservation methods

a program of field conservation methods for advanced students University level

for advanced students University level

for advanced students University level students and those individuals that were

students and those individuals that were

students and those individuals that were either going into conservation or they

either going into conservation or they

either going into conservation or they were already conservation working

were already conservation working

were already conservation working professionals throughout Latin America

professionals throughout Latin America

professionals throughout Latin America and provided a month-long field program

and provided a month-long field program

and provided a month-long field program for them so here’s in addition to

for them so here’s in addition to

for them so here’s in addition to fieldwork on a daily basis is one of our

fieldwork on a daily basis is one of our

fieldwork on a daily basis is one of our professors from st. Louis University

professors from st. Louis University

professors from st. Louis University working with students on ecological

working with students on ecological

working with students on ecological modeling when certain computer programs

modeling when certain computer programs

modeling when certain computer programs allow you to be able to predict

allow you to be able to predict

allow you to be able to predict extinction probability and he’s working

extinction probability and he’s working

extinction probability and he’s working with them on this but where our

with them on this but where our

with them on this but where our education programs don’t really stop

education programs don’t really stop

education programs don’t really stop there because one of the most

there because one of the most

there because one of the most significant things that we do in my

significant things that we do in my

significant things that we do in my opinion is when we go into these areas I

opinion is when we go into these areas I

opinion is when we go into these areas I always like to go in and get to know the

always like to go in and get to know the

always like to go in and get to know the local community and work with the local

local community and work with the local

local community and work with the local schools so one of the components of our

schools so one of the components of our

schools so one of the components of our field programs is that our students then

field programs is that our students then

field programs is that our students then develop a set of conservation activities

develop a set of conservation activities

develop a set of conservation activities and lessons for the local schools and

and lessons for the local schools and

and lessons for the local schools and here we are working in the local primary

here we are working in the local primary

here we are working in the local primary school in Washington and our students

school in Washington and our students

school in Washington and our students get very creative so they’re given free

get very creative so they’re given free

get very creative so they’re given free rein I guide them on development of

rein I guide them on development of

rein I guide them on development of their activities and lessons but they

their activities and lessons but they

their activities and lessons but they have the opportunity to be very creative

have the opportunity to be very creative

have the opportunity to be very creative with what they present to the students

with what they present to the students

with what they present to the students and this is a group that came in that

and this is a group that came in that

and this is a group that came in that presented their conservation program for

presented their conservation program for

presented their conservation program for the local school kids in Wausau tune

the local school kids in Wausau tune

the local school kids in Wausau tune and then very creative they said we want

and then very creative they said we want

and then very creative they said we want to go back a couple of days later and

to go back a couple of days later and

to go back a couple of days later and we’re going to dress as tourists and

we’re going to dress as tourists and

we’re going to dress as tourists and that’s why they have the hats and the

that’s why they have the hats and the

that’s why they have the hats and the sunglasses on and ask the students to

sunglasses on and ask the students to

sunglasses on and ask the students to talk to them and we relate what they had

talk to them and we relate what they had

talk to them and we relate what they had learned from their presentation

learned from their presentation

learned from their presentation and act as though they were their tour

and act as though they were their tour

and act as though they were their tour guides for this significant area in what

guides for this significant area in what

guides for this significant area in what the what we hear from teachers when we

the what we hear from teachers when we

the what we hear from teachers when we go into these areas that is that our

go into these areas that is that our

go into these areas that is that our time spent in these schools is

time spent in these schools is

time spent in these schools is significant to the students it helps

significant to the students it helps

significant to the students it helps give them a sense of pride in their area

give them a sense of pride in their area

give them a sense of pride in their area that we care enough about them to go and

that we care enough about them to go and

that we care enough about them to go and learn about them and spend time with

learn about them and spend time with

learn about them and spend time with them it also helps instill sort of this

them it also helps instill sort of this

them it also helps instill sort of this sense of ownership and building

sense of ownership and building

sense of ownership and building relationship with nature and natural

relationship with nature and natural

relationship with nature and natural resources that we know is integral if we

resources that we know is integral if we

resources that we know is integral if we want to save those resources in the

want to save those resources in the

want to save those resources in the future okay

future okay

future okay in Nicaragua a different example of a

in Nicaragua a different example of a

in Nicaragua a different example of a conservation program and conservation

conservation program and conservation

conservation program and conservation education program I worked and lived in

education program I worked and lived in

education program I worked and lived in Nicaragua for some time and I worked in

Nicaragua for some time and I worked in

Nicaragua for some time and I worked in an area called Bosa was– and it was

an area called Bosa was– and it was

an area called Bosa was– and it was dedicated as a biosphere reserve by

dedicated as a biosphere reserve by

dedicated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO the United Nations some years

UNESCO the United Nations some years

UNESCO the United Nations some years back because it is home to about 20,000

back because it is home to about 20,000

back because it is home to about 20,000 indigenous people the mosquito and the

indigenous people the mosquito and the

indigenous people the mosquito and the Mayan indigenous groups still live in

Mayan indigenous groups still live in

Mayan indigenous groups still live in this area in six tribal territories and

this area in six tribal territories and

this area in six tribal territories and it is a biosphere reserve because of the

it is a biosphere reserve because of the

it is a biosphere reserve because of the indigenous populations and also it’s

indigenous populations and also it’s

indigenous populations and also it’s considered to have some of the most

considered to have some of the most

considered to have some of the most pristine tropical forests until you get

pristine tropical forests until you get

pristine tropical forests until you get into the Amazon in South America

into the Amazon in South America

into the Amazon in South America it’s a remote area in Nicaragua on the

it’s a remote area in Nicaragua on the

it’s a remote area in Nicaragua on the Honduran border so this is the cocoa

Honduran border so this is the cocoa

Honduran border so this is the cocoa River and that’s the only way you get to

River and that’s the only way you get to

River and that’s the only way you get to some of our remote sites where we worked

some of our remote sites where we worked

some of our remote sites where we worked was three days by dugout boat getting to

was three days by dugout boat getting to

was three days by dugout boat getting to some of the remote locations where the

some of the remote locations where the

some of the remote locations where the mosquito people live and our goal here

mosquito people live and our goal here

mosquito people live and our goal here was multifaceted we worked with the st.

was multifaceted we worked with the st.

was multifaceted we worked with the st. Louis Zoo directed this program we

Louis Zoo directed this program we

Louis Zoo directed this program we worked with the Missouri Botanical

worked with the Missouri Botanical

worked with the Missouri Botanical Gardens st. Louis University the Nature

Gardens st. Louis University the Nature

Gardens st. Louis University the Nature Conservancy and USAID and put together a

Conservancy and USAID and put together a

Conservancy and USAID and put together a program to help the mosquito and the

program to help the mosquito and the

program to help the mosquito and the mayanna people develop a conservation

mayanna people develop a conservation

mayanna people develop a conservation management plan for their tribal lands

management plan for their tribal lands

management plan for their tribal lands and so different components of this

and so different components of this

and so different components of this program

program

program highlight a couple was this is one of

highlight a couple was this is one of

highlight a couple was this is one of our field people and she helped train

our field people and she helped train

our field people and she helped train the indigenous people to be able to in

the indigenous people to be able to in

the indigenous people to be able to in field conservation techniques and then

field conservation techniques and then

field conservation techniques and then we employed the indigenous individuals

we employed the indigenous individuals

we employed the indigenous individuals to work on programs with us so they were

to work on programs with us so they were

to work on programs with us so they were actually participants in the development

actually participants in the development

actually participants in the development of their own conservation management

of their own conservation management

of their own conservation management plan in addition st. Louis sue worked

plan in addition st. Louis sue worked

plan in addition st. Louis sue worked with the local schools in these tribal

with the local schools in these tribal

with the local schools in these tribal villages and developed conservation

villages and developed conservation

villages and developed conservation education workshops for the local tribal

education workshops for the local tribal

education workshops for the local tribal teachers and then conservation education

teachers and then conservation education

teachers and then conservation education materials for the kids to use and again

materials for the kids to use and again

materials for the kids to use and again here’s one of our field people working

here’s one of our field people working

here’s one of our field people working with one of the older individuals in one

with one of the older individuals in one

with one of the older individuals in one of the tribal areas and the kids in that

of the tribal areas and the kids in that

of the tribal areas and the kids in that community still in Nicaragua in an area

community still in Nicaragua in an area

community still in Nicaragua in an area called Ometepe and Ometepe is an island

called Ometepe and Ometepe is an island

called Ometepe and Ometepe is an island in the middle of lago nicaragua one of

in the middle of lago nicaragua one of

in the middle of lago nicaragua one of the largest lakes i think that we have

the largest lakes i think that we have

the largest lakes i think that we have in the world and there are series of

in the world and there are series of

in the world and there are series of islands located here and this is its

islands located here and this is its

islands located here and this is its houses two volcanoes this is one of the

houses two volcanoes this is one of the

houses two volcanoes this is one of the volcanoes this is volcano concepción in

volcanoes this is volcano concepción in

volcanoes this is volcano concepción in this island called Ometepe we have

this island called Ometepe we have

this island called Ometepe we have what’s called the Ometepe biological

what’s called the Ometepe biological

what’s called the Ometepe biological field station and in this area I worked

field station and in this area I worked

field station and in this area I worked on a month-long field conservation

on a month-long field conservation

on a month-long field conservation program for university students from the

program for university students from the

program for university students from the United States so I took university

United States so I took university

United States so I took university students down for a month they learn

students down for a month they learn

students down for a month they learn field conservation methods and again in

field conservation methods and again in

field conservation methods and again in this case we wanted to do community

this case we wanted to do community

this case we wanted to do community education and so we did it a little

education and so we did it a little

education and so we did it a little differently this time it was really what

differently this time it was really what

differently this time it was really what I considered to be true community

I considered to be true community

I considered to be true community outreach we went into the local

outreach we went into the local

outreach we went into the local community on the island and people found

community on the island and people found

community on the island and people found out that we were at the field station

out that we were at the field station

out that we were at the field station and that our students were doing

and that our students were doing

and that our students were doing conservation they were working on field

conservation they were working on field

conservation they were working on field projects and they got really excited

projects and they got really excited

projects and they got really excited about the opportunity to come to the

about the opportunity to come to the

about the opportunity to come to the field station they’ve never been there

field station they’ve never been there

field station they’ve never been there before so we’re got out that we were

before so we’re got out that we were

before so we’re got out that we were going to invite people to the field

going to invite people to the field

going to invite people to the field station and have

station and have

station and have a day where they could engage in

a day where they could engage in

a day where they could engage in conservation lessons activities we play

conservation lessons activities we play

conservation lessons activities we play games we usually play soccer we have a

games we usually play soccer we have a

games we usually play soccer we have a meal together and so my students then

meal together and so my students then

meal together and so my students then set up displays and talk to them about

set up displays and talk to them about

set up displays and talk to them about different aspects of conservation so

different aspects of conservation so

different aspects of conservation so there were so many people from the

there were so many people from the

there were so many people from the village that wanted to come we actually

village that wanted to come we actually

village that wanted to come we actually hired a cattle truck and drove around

hired a cattle truck and drove around

hired a cattle truck and drove around the island and picked up families right

the island and picked up families right

the island and picked up families right brought them to the field station for

brought them to the field station for

brought them to the field station for the day they got to spend the day with

the day they got to spend the day with

the day they got to spend the day with us and then we took them all back home

us and then we took them all back home

us and then we took them all back home at the end of the day okay

at the end of the day okay

at the end of the day okay moving to South America a slightly

moving to South America a slightly

moving to South America a slightly different take on conservation education

different take on conservation education

different take on conservation education in an area called the Caparo forestry

in an area called the Caparo forestry

in an area called the Caparo forestry reserve it houses a very important

reserve it houses a very important

reserve it houses a very important biodiversity reserve this is located

biodiversity reserve this is located

biodiversity reserve this is located close to the Colombian border in South

close to the Colombian border in South

close to the Colombian border in South America and this is the Caparo River we

America and this is the Caparo River we

America and this is the Caparo River we have pristine rainforest lots of

have pristine rainforest lots of

have pristine rainforest lots of endangered species and for some years I

endangered species and for some years I

endangered species and for some years I lived and worked in Venezuela and I

lived and worked in Venezuela and I

lived and worked in Venezuela and I worked with the individual you see who’s

worked with the individual you see who’s

worked with the individual you see who’s talking to the students there Miguel

talking to the students there Miguel

talking to the students there Miguel ilianna he’s from the University of the

ilianna he’s from the University of the

ilianna he’s from the University of the Andes in Venezuela he and I developed a

Andes in Venezuela he and I developed a

Andes in Venezuela he and I developed a program for university students from not

program for university students from not

program for university students from not only the United States but Venezuela as

only the United States but Venezuela as

only the United States but Venezuela as well so we had a cross-cultural

well so we had a cross-cultural

well so we had a cross-cultural month-long experience for the students

month-long experience for the students

month-long experience for the students in which they learned conservation field

in which they learned conservation field

in which they learned conservation field methods okay so they got to learn not

methods okay so they got to learn not

methods okay so they got to learn not only from university professors in the

only from university professors in the

only from university professors in the United States from Cleveland State

United States from Cleveland State

United States from Cleveland State University different institutions but

University different institutions but

University different institutions but also from professors in Venezuela also

also from professors in Venezuela also

also from professors in Venezuela also in Venezuela but in a different area of

in Venezuela but in a different area of

in Venezuela but in a different area of Venezuela and that’s not a student or a

Venezuela and that’s not a student or a

Venezuela and that’s not a student or a teacher or community member it’s a

teacher or community member it’s a

teacher or community member it’s a community member it’s a different one is

community member it’s a different one is

community member it’s a different one is anybody know what that is by any chance

anybody know what that is by any chance

anybody know what that is by any chance Andean Condor yes it is Indian condor

Andean Condor yes it is Indian condor

Andean Condor yes it is Indian condor andean condors are arguably the largest

andean condors are arguably the largest

andean condors are arguably the largest most robust bird of flight on the planet

most robust bird of flight on the planet

most robust bird of flight on the planet right they’re enormous and unfortunately

right they’re enormous and unfortunately

right they’re enormous and unfortunately they’re becoming endangered they’re

they’re becoming endangered they’re

they’re becoming endangered they’re threatened in

threatened in

threatened in most of their range especially in this

most of their range especially in this

most of their range especially in this area in Venezuela where I lived and

area in Venezuela where I lived and

area in Venezuela where I lived and worked so one of the components of one

worked so one of the components of one

worked so one of the components of one of our conservation programs was working

of our conservation programs was working

of our conservation programs was working on andean condor conservation and so we

on andean condor conservation and so we

on andean condor conservation and so we coupled Cleveland Metroparks Zoo we

coupled Cleveland Metroparks Zoo we

coupled Cleveland Metroparks Zoo we coupled with conservation organizations

coupled with conservation organizations

coupled with conservation organizations in Venezuela and jumped on board with

in Venezuela and jumped on board with

in Venezuela and jumped on board with andean condor breeding and

andean condor breeding and

andean condor breeding and reintroduction programs back into the

reintroduction programs back into the

reintroduction programs back into the Andes Mountains in Venezuela and here we

Andes Mountains in Venezuela and here we

Andes Mountains in Venezuela and here we are that’s a few of us standing out

are that’s a few of us standing out

are that’s a few of us standing out there with binoculars so we’re a bawling

there with binoculars so we’re a bawling

there with binoculars so we’re a bawling right watching condors the remaining

right watching condors the remaining

right watching condors the remaining condors they’re they’re bred at this

condors they’re they’re bred at this

condors they’re they’re bred at this site and then they’re released through a

site and then they’re released through a

site and then they’re released through a slow soft release program back out into

slow soft release program back out into

slow soft release program back out into the wild and then they’re monitored

the wild and then they’re monitored

the wild and then they’re monitored there and there were so few condors left

there and there were so few condors left

there and there were so few condors left when we started getting involved with

when we started getting involved with

when we started getting involved with this program that we thought it was

this program that we thought it was

this program that we thought it was really important to develop a

really important to develop a

really important to develop a conservation education component to that

conservation education component to that

conservation education component to that and I took a slightly different angle on

and I took a slightly different angle on

and I took a slightly different angle on this I started working in the Andes

this I started working in the Andes

this I started working in the Andes Mountains still but in a zoo okay called

Mountains still but in a zoo okay called

Mountains still but in a zoo okay called chorros de Mia’s zoo and this is from

chorros de Mia’s zoo and this is from

chorros de Mia’s zoo and this is from inside the zoo and it overlooks the

inside the zoo and it overlooks the

inside the zoo and it overlooks the highest point in the Venezuelan Andes

highest point in the Venezuelan Andes

highest point in the Venezuelan Andes Mountains pico bolivar it’s a beautiful

Mountains pico bolivar it’s a beautiful

Mountains pico bolivar it’s a beautiful setting and this zoo is one of the most

setting and this zoo is one of the most

setting and this zoo is one of the most heavily visited zoos in the country and

heavily visited zoos in the country and

heavily visited zoos in the country and I’ve mentioned several zoo so far and

I’ve mentioned several zoo so far and

I’ve mentioned several zoo so far and what zoos have become is centers of

what zoos have become is centers of

what zoos have become is centers of conservation right education centers

conservation right education centers

conservation right education centers research centers conservation centers in

research centers conservation centers in

research centers conservation centers in our st. Louis Zoo is no different in

our st. Louis Zoo is no different in

our st. Louis Zoo is no different in that regard so this is heavily visited a

that regard so this is heavily visited a

that regard so this is heavily visited a lot of visitation and that sets up the

lot of visitation and that sets up the

lot of visitation and that sets up the perfect opportunity to be able to

perfect opportunity to be able to

perfect opportunity to be able to educate people about conservation

educate people about conservation

educate people about conservation efforts so I worked with the local

efforts so I worked with the local

efforts so I worked with the local agencies conservation agencies in this

agencies conservation agencies in this

agencies conservation agencies in this area and zoo personnel and we developed

area and zoo personnel and we developed

area and zoo personnel and we developed a set of displays and conservation

a set of displays and conservation

a set of displays and conservation materials for the visitors that they

materials for the visitors that they

materials for the visitors that they could implement for zoo visitors and one

could implement for zoo visitors and one

could implement for zoo visitors and one of those components was an education

of those components was an education

of those components was an education program dealing with andean condor

program dealing with andean condor

program dealing with andean condor conservation and the breeding and

conservation and the breeding and

conservation and the breeding and reintroduction of

reintroduction of

reintroduction of Hertz and coupling that with the

Hertz and coupling that with the

Hertz and coupling that with the historical significance and cultural

historical significance and cultural

historical significance and cultural significance of Indian condors because

significance of Indian condors because

significance of Indian condors because they are very symbolic in most of

they are very symbolic in most of

they are very symbolic in most of Central American Andean countries okay

Central American Andean countries okay

Central American Andean countries okay and lastly moving to Panama to Isla

and lastly moving to Panama to Isla

and lastly moving to Panama to Isla cologne and working with the no bay

cologne and working with the no bay

cologne and working with the no bay people in this area and this is an

people in this area and this is an

people in this area and this is an aerial view of Isla cologne

aerial view of Isla cologne

aerial view of Isla cologne it still has pristine tropical forest a

it still has pristine tropical forest a

it still has pristine tropical forest a large indigenous population mangrove

large indigenous population mangrove

large indigenous population mangrove forests very important for reproduction

forests very important for reproduction

forests very important for reproduction of aquatic organisms lots of endemic

of aquatic organisms lots of endemic

of aquatic organisms lots of endemic species that are found there and nowhere

species that are found there and nowhere

species that are found there and nowhere else and this island is part of what’s

else and this island is part of what’s

else and this island is part of what’s called an archipelago a group of islands

called an archipelago a group of islands

called an archipelago a group of islands in Bocas del Toro and it is considered

in Bocas del Toro and it is considered

in Bocas del Toro and it is considered to be the Galapagos of Central America

to be the Galapagos of Central America

to be the Galapagos of Central America in its biological significance so here

in its biological significance so here

in its biological significance so here for about six or seven years I worked

for about six or seven years I worked

for about six or seven years I worked every year doing a month-long field

every year doing a month-long field

every year doing a month-long field program for university students from the

program for university students from the

program for university students from the United States and some were open to

United States and some were open to

United States and some were open to students from other countries where

students from other countries where

students from other countries where again we train them in field

again we train them in field

again we train them in field conservation methods and then a

conservation methods and then a

conservation methods and then a component of their program always is

component of their program always is

component of their program always is taking that information and knowledge

taking that information and knowledge

taking that information and knowledge and sharing it with the local

and sharing it with the local

and sharing it with the local communities in this case the local no

communities in this case the local no

communities in this case the local no bay community we invited the school kids

bay community we invited the school kids

bay community we invited the school kids to the field station for a day again

to the field station for a day again

to the field station for a day again provided meal provided games displays

provided meal provided games displays

provided meal provided games displays demonstrations and then engaged in a

demonstrations and then engaged in a

demonstrations and then engaged in a beach clean-up day a lot of these

beach clean-up day a lot of these

beach clean-up day a lot of these communities make their living from the

communities make their living from the

communities make their living from the ocean and ocean pollution has become an

ocean and ocean pollution has become an

ocean and ocean pollution has become an increasingly significant problem for us

increasingly significant problem for us

increasingly significant problem for us globally and again this idea of keeping

globally and again this idea of keeping

globally and again this idea of keeping the area clean instilling a sense of

the area clean instilling a sense of

the area clean instilling a sense of pride and this idea of ownership and

pride and this idea of ownership and

pride and this idea of ownership and stewardship for the natural resources

stewardship for the natural resources

stewardship for the natural resources and since then I’ve continued to go down

and since then I’ve continued to go down

and since then I’ve continued to go down to Panama so I go down every year two

to Panama so I go down every year two

to Panama so I go down every year two years I’ve known the teachers and the

years I’ve known the teachers and the

years I’ve known the teachers and the kids in these school for a very long

kids in these school for a very long

kids in these school for a very long time

time

time I’ve known their brothers big brothers

I’ve known their brothers big brothers

I’ve known their brothers big brothers and sisters and the little kids that

and sisters and the little kids that

and sisters and the little kids that come after them and continue to do

come after them and continue to do

come after them and continue to do conservation programs working with them

conservation programs working with them

conservation programs working with them here’s a couple right most recently I

here’s a couple right most recently I

here’s a couple right most recently I went down and we have to be creative and

went down and we have to be creative and

went down and we have to be creative and use different resources that are

use different resources that are

use different resources that are applicable to these teachers that with

applicable to these teachers that with

applicable to these teachers that with activities they can replicate right and

activities they can replicate right and

activities they can replicate right and keep using so for the web of life

keep using so for the web of life

keep using so for the web of life teaching the interconnectedness of

teaching the interconnectedness of

teaching the interconnectedness of nature I just came with a ball of twine

nature I just came with a ball of twine

nature I just came with a ball of twine and pictures from calendars of wildlife

and pictures from calendars of wildlife

and pictures from calendars of wildlife that I had saved over a long period of

that I had saved over a long period of

that I had saved over a long period of time and was able to teach the idea of

time and was able to teach the idea of

time and was able to teach the idea of the web of life and the important is

the web of life and the important is

the web of life and the important is importance of connectedness of one

importance of connectedness of one

importance of connectedness of one life-form to another out there and then

life-form to another out there and then

life-form to another out there and then this is just an activity right teaching

this is just an activity right teaching

this is just an activity right teaching them a dance and a way to remember the

them a dance and a way to remember the

them a dance and a way to remember the important parts of plants and the role

important parts of plants and the role

important parts of plants and the role plants play out there in nature right

plants play out there in nature right

plants play out there in nature right okay this is a picture of the school

okay this is a picture of the school

okay this is a picture of the school kids most recently when I was down there

kids most recently when I was down there

kids most recently when I was down there what we also try to do is always pool

what we also try to do is always pool

what we also try to do is always pool money and purchase supplies because

money and purchase supplies because

money and purchase supplies because resources are sorely lacking in a lot of

resources are sorely lacking in a lot of

resources are sorely lacking in a lot of these areas in this no bay area it’s an

these areas in this no bay area it’s an

these areas in this no bay area it’s an it’s not uncommon that students go to

it’s not uncommon that students go to

it’s not uncommon that students go to about fourth grade maybe sixth grade and

about fourth grade maybe sixth grade and

about fourth grade maybe sixth grade and they often lack supplies they don’t have

they often lack supplies they don’t have

they often lack supplies they don’t have pencils they don’t have anything to

pencils they don’t have anything to

pencils they don’t have anything to write with the teachers lack materials

write with the teachers lack materials

write with the teachers lack materials so we always make sure we provide

so we always make sure we provide

so we always make sure we provide materials for them students and the

materials for them students and the

materials for them students and the teachers and I know it’s typical from

teachers and I know it’s typical from

teachers and I know it’s typical from for us from the United States to like to

for us from the United States to like to

for us from the United States to like to take things down to those countries but

take things down to those countries but

take things down to those countries but one of the things that we always try to

one of the things that we always try to

one of the things that we always try to do is purchase locally and that helps

do is purchase locally and that helps

do is purchase locally and that helps strengthen local economies and that’s

strengthen local economies and that’s

strengthen local economies and that’s important in these areas and it doesn’t

important in these areas and it doesn’t

important in these areas and it doesn’t all happen just far away one of my

all happen just far away one of my

all happen just far away one of my classes here at the college my ecology

classes here at the college my ecology

classes here at the college my ecology and environmental conservation class as

and environmental conservation class as

and environmental conservation class as their service-learning project one

their service-learning project one

their service-learning project one semester we worked with the local

semester we worked with the local

semester we worked with the local Hillsboro primary school and the school

Hillsboro primary school and the school

Hillsboro primary school and the school teachers and our class developed what we

teachers and our class developed what we

teachers and our class developed what we call the Nature Trail eco guide for the

call the Nature Trail eco guide for the

call the Nature Trail eco guide for the primary school teachers to use with the

primary school teachers to use with the

primary school teachers to use with the outdoor class

outdoor class

outdoor class that they have here locally and when we

that they have here locally and when we

that they have here locally and when we educate individuals we empower them and

educate individuals we empower them and

educate individuals we empower them and hopefully we can help future generations

hopefully we can help future generations

hopefully we can help future generations avoid nature’s eclipse thank you

avoid nature’s eclipse thank you

avoid nature’s eclipse thank you [Applause]